Beautiful Albert Lea, MN. Population 18K. County seat of Freeborn Co. Total area: 12 square miles, with only 2 of those covered by lake water. Birthplace of Marion "Mrs. C." Ross as well as the little recipe guide, made out of index card pages, that's anchoring a row of cookbooks in my kitchen. It's called "Our Favorite Appetizers". I'm not sure who put it out, but if I had to guess, I'd say some ladies in a church basement had something to do with it.
Boasting a hefty index, this bantam book of hors d'oeuvres is guaranteed to get things cooking. Dips, nuts, dumplings, tarts, soups and wraps are all served up with distinctive Southern MN flair. We, in fact, followed it's instructions to create an ambrosial artichoke spread that was a hit at this year's Christmas party.
Unfortunately for you, you're not going to find this book at Borders or Amazon. And a quick search on eBay proved fruitless. This just isn't the type of text any culinary cuisinier worth his or her weight in beans would part with. Allow me to show you just why that is. Here is my favorite entry. Quick, grab a pencil & paper. Ready? Start with 8oz. of that creamy, fatty, liver-based, soft sausage called Liverwurst. Add 8oz. Cream Cheese, 1 chopped Onion, 1tsp. Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp. Lemon Juice and Salt & Pep to taste. Mix well. Serve on crackers and pâté! I mean...Par-tay! How can you go wrong with Liverwurst dip? That's right, you can't.
Other notable entries include:
"Meatballs Deluxe"- Ingredient #2: Monosodium Glutamate. De-Luxe & De-Lish!
"Cold Pizza"- Crescent Rolls, Cream Cheese, Mayo, Ranch Salad Dressing & Broccoli. I shudder at the thought of my dog snatching one of these puppies of the counter.
"Bread Dip"- Which you serve with bread.
"Hot & Easy Shrimp"
"Nibblers"
"Hot Sausage Balls"
"Bread Fondue"- Also served on bread.
"Curry Dip"- Mayo & Curry Powder. But achieving just the right balance is tricky.
"Beef Cheese Log"- May taste even worse than it sounds.
"Hanky Pankies"
Unfortunately for you, you're not going to find this book at Borders or Amazon. And a quick search on eBay proved fruitless. This just isn't the type of text any culinary cuisinier worth his or her weight in beans would part with. Allow me to show you just why that is. Here is my favorite entry. Quick, grab a pencil & paper. Ready? Start with 8oz. of that creamy, fatty, liver-based, soft sausage called Liverwurst. Add 8oz. Cream Cheese, 1 chopped Onion, 1tsp. Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp. Lemon Juice and Salt & Pep to taste. Mix well. Serve on crackers and pâté! I mean...Par-tay! How can you go wrong with Liverwurst dip? That's right, you can't.Other notable entries include:
"Meatballs Deluxe"- Ingredient #2: Monosodium Glutamate. De-Luxe & De-Lish!
"Cold Pizza"- Crescent Rolls, Cream Cheese, Mayo, Ranch Salad Dressing & Broccoli. I shudder at the thought of my dog snatching one of these puppies of the counter.
"Bread Dip"- Which you serve with bread.
"Hot & Easy Shrimp"
"Nibblers"
"Hot Sausage Balls"
"Bread Fondue"- Also served on bread.
"Curry Dip"- Mayo & Curry Powder. But achieving just the right balance is tricky.
"Beef Cheese Log"- May taste even worse than it sounds.
"Hanky Pankies"
"Hot Mexican" dip
And last, but certainly not least, "Crock Pot Appetizers". Take 'Catsup', Vinegar, Mustard & Worcestershire and pour it all into a slow cooker. There's a few steps in between, but the last one is: "Add: Meat Balls, Stuffed Olives, Large Mushrooms, Chunk Pineapple, Shrimp, Cocktail Sausages"... and I think they mean all of it. Cook for a long time and Bam! I know it's not exactly Everyday Italian, but it is Semi-Homemade. So top that with parmesan Giada De Laurentiis! Them are good eats.
Happy 2008 everybody. Bon appétit!
And last, but certainly not least, "Crock Pot Appetizers". Take 'Catsup', Vinegar, Mustard & Worcestershire and pour it all into a slow cooker. There's a few steps in between, but the last one is: "Add: Meat Balls, Stuffed Olives, Large Mushrooms, Chunk Pineapple, Shrimp, Cocktail Sausages"... and I think they mean all of it. Cook for a long time and Bam! I know it's not exactly Everyday Italian, but it is Semi-Homemade. So top that with parmesan Giada De Laurentiis! Them are good eats.
Happy 2008 everybody. Bon appétit!
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